(The Center Square) – Three Republicans are competing for the chance to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in November, with Virginia voters set to choose the party’s nominee in the Aug. 4 primary.
Warner was the only Democrat to qualify for the primary ballot after launching his bid for a fourth term. Republicans are choosing among retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa, certified public accountant and former federal executive Kim Farington, and Marine Corps veteran and former CIA officer David Williams.
Warner has represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate since 2009 after winning election in 2008. He previously served as Virginia governor from 2002 to 2006 and serves in Senate Democratic leadership and on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Mizusawa has centered his campaign on national security, military experience and reducing the size of the federal intelligence bureaucracy while highlighting his service in the Army and his role advising President Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign.
Farington has campaigned on reducing government spending, eliminating fraud and waste, strengthening border security and expanding opportunities for small businesses.
Williams has emphasized his military and intelligence background, support for law enforcement and border security, and reducing the size of the federal government.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Warner has raised nearly $22 million for his reelection campaign, while none of the Republican candidates have raised more than $200,000. Mizusawa leads the Republican field in fundraising, followed by Farington and Williams.
The Republican nominee will face Warner in the Nov. 3 general election for a six-year term beginning in January.
Republicans have not won a Virginia U.S. Senate election since former Sen. John Warner’s 2002 reelection, and Democrats have held both of the commonwealth’s Senate seats since 2009.
Early in-person voting for the Aug. 4 primary continues through Aug. 1. The deadline to register to vote or update an existing voter registration is July 24.
